Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has called for British Sign Language (BSL) to be given legal status in the UK.
The EastEnders actress, who made history last year as the first deaf person to compete on Strictly and the first to win – said the low public understanding of BSL remains a “big problem” for deaf people.
Ms Ayling-Ellis, 27, said she had spoken to Labour MP Rosie Cooper about a bill that aims to declare BSL as an official language of the UK.
BSL was recognised as a language in its own right by the Government in 2003, it has no legal protection.
Ms Rose Ayling-Ellis told ITV’s This Morning: “It’s been recognised as a language, but it’s not been official. That becomes such a big problem.
“I have heard so many stories about deaf people going to a doctor appointment and they ask for an interpreter and they don’t refer them an interpreter, so they end up needing their child to translate, or a family member. That shouldn’t be.
“Because it’s not an official language, we can’t do anything about it.”
Ms Cooper’s bill is aiming to declare British Sign Language (BSL) an official language of the UK and provide for a British Sign Language Council to promote and advise on the use of BSL, as well as to establish principles for the use of BSL in public services.
The Labour MP is the daughter of deaf parents and said BSL is her first language.
She argues deaf people are often “ignored, misunderstood or have to fight for attention” and believes acknowledging BSL as an official language would be a step forward in ensuring deaf people who rely on it have their needs met.
Ms Rose Ayling-Ellis added: “I’ve called Rosie Cooper the MP, so I think she’s going to start to debate.
“It’s passed the first stage but it has to go through the second stage at the end of January.
“If it goes through, and then they have a third one, it will become an official language.”
Backbench bills from opposition MPs have a slim chance of becoming law without Government support, though the Government has shown willingness to accept some such motions in the past.
Last month, Ayling-Ellis and her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice defeated Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and his partner Johannes Radebe, the first all-male pairing on the show, in Strictly‘s closely fought final.
Appearing alongside her, Pernice said he had decided to have an interpreter on his upcoming solo tour.
He said: “I think it’s about time. Rose opened my eyes thinking about how a lot of people would maybe love to watch the show.
“It’s important that everybody is inclusive, we have to be more inclusive in general. And also she’s coming to watch the show.”
The Italian pro, who joined Strictly in 2015 but had not previously won a series, said he had left his Strictly trophy at his parents’ home in his native country
He said: “My mum and dad are massive fans, so I think it was the right thing to do. It’s there with them, hopefully another one to come.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
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